'An incredible two decades' - Novak Djokovic on his rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer | WATCH

Novak Djokovic, the world's premier tennis player, made a notable return to the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for the first time in half a decade, aiming to reclaim his winning form at a venue where he has triumphed five times. Despite his unexpected departure in the Round of 32 at the hands of Philipp Kohlschreiber in 2019, Djokovic's enthusiasm for the tournament remained undimmed.

"Was very excited, to come back. And it's been five years. And, you know, time flies incredibly fast. So let's hope I can have a good tournament. So we haven't played an official match since that Australian Open semifinals. I've been practicing well. I arrived to L.A. quite early, spend some time with family and ready to get into a competition," Djokovic shared, reflecting on his anticipation and preparations.

The event's cancellation in 2020, due to the pandemic, and subsequent travel restrictions for unvaccinated foreigners, hindered Djokovic's participation in 2022 and 2023. Nonetheless, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is not just eyeing victory at Indian Wells but is also setting his sights on future Olympic glory, contemplating participation in the Paris 2024 and potentially the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, even at the age of 41.

"Yeah. I mean, everything is on the cards. I just don't know how many cards I have left. Let's see. It's still very far. Think about Los Angeles Olympic Games, but the thought of it excites me. Of course, I love to play that. But, as we know, Olympics come every four years. I can't really commit to that yet. I think I'll take it year by year and just see how body serves me, how passionate and committed I am. Really. How much motivation do I really have to do what I have done most of my life, day in, day out. It's becoming harder and harder, but I still love the sport and still have been competing at the highest level and still number one. So I feel at the moment that I still want to keep going and, keep trying to make more history. So let's let's see how far I go," Djokovic expressed, showcasing his ambition and resilience.

Amid discussions about his illustrious career, Djokovic also highlighted the unforgettable rivalries with tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, acknowledging their significant impact on the sport and his personal journey.

"So everything happens in life for reason, with the reason, and I think that it's beautiful for our sport that we had, amazing rivalries that have really marked an incredible two decades. And I remember John McEnroe was saying in one of the documentaries that I've seen recently that when Bjorn Borg retired, that he felt like part of him also retired, even though he kept going. But and that's, I must say, a similar feeling that I have with Roger (Federer) retiring and Rafa (Nadal) not playing much at all. It's a strange feeling. I mean, I try to find a new rival, and I had some great matches with the (Carlos) Alcaraz and (Jannik) Sinner lately, but they still remain the two biggest rivals I've ever had," Djokovic reminisced, acknowledging the profound effect of his rivalries on his career and tennis history.

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(With AP inputs)